Blue Jackets: CBJ broadcast team gearing up for playoff run

COLUMBUS -- Perhaps a most unlikely pair have now become the toast of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey coverage.

Jeff Rimer, the veteran of four decades of play by play experience, teaming with the former Jackets tough guy to form a most entertaining duo in the booth at Nationwide Arena.

Rimer joined the Blue Jackets broadcast team as television play-by-play announcer on FOX Sports Ohio in the summer of 2004, bringing 30-plus years experience to the booth. Prior to joining the Blue Jackets, Rimer did television play-by-play for the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals.

In addition to serving as the voice of the Panthers from 1993-2004, Rimer also co-hosted the nationally syndicated "Inside the NHL" radio program with current Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations John Davidson.

This is Shelley's third as color analyst. Shelley re-joined the hockey club as a broadcast associate and team ambassador following a 12-year playing career that began in Columbus during the team's 2000-01 inaugural season. In addition to Shelley's duties on the broadcast, he represents the club as a team ambassador where he spearheads the Blue Jackets Alumni Association.

Shelley was signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent on Jan. 31, 2001 and made his NHL debut with the club against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 17, 2001. He went on to appear in 380 games with the club, registering 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points with 1,025 penalty minutes. He led the Blue Jackets in penalty minutes four times (2001-06), is the club's all-time leader in that category and owns the club mark for penalty minutes in a season with 249 PIM in 2002-03.